Those of you who enjoy app deals may be interested to know that Rules! has gone free for a limited time. Apple is currently offering promo codes for the popular brain-teasing puzzler, which typically costs $2.99, within its Apple Store app.
For those who haven't played it before, Rules! is a well-designed puzzle game that puts your memory and reflex skills to the test. Players are presented with a 16-card board, and asked to remove cards based on increasingly difficult guidelines.
Tim Cook took time out of his day on Friday to visit his local Palo Alto Apple Store, to greet folks trying on the Apple Watch. The CEO shook hands, posed for photos, and fielded questions regarding Apple's highly anticipated wearable.
CNBC was on hand for the meet-and-greet and managed to speak with Cook for a moment about the Watch, and what he's seen in terms of initial response. Unsurprisingly, he says the company has been "impressed" with consumer enthusiasm.
In an interesting break from the publicity Apple normally gets for free whenever customers line up outside its stores to be the first to get their hands on latest new gizmos, the company is now instructing its retail employees to suggest customers buy the Apple Watch and the new twelve-inch MacBook through the Online Apple Store.
According to an internal memo Apple's retail chief Angela Ahrendts sent to Apple Store employees entitled 'Get in line online', obtained by Business Insider, Apple suggests that “the days of waiting in line and crossing fingers for a product are over”.
It's been a busy weekend in Apple Watch news, so let's take a look, shall we?
To start, 9to5mac has given us an early look at the new Apple Watch-themed display that will be dressing Apple Stores across the world. We'll see the new display on April 10, coinciding with the launch of Apple Watch pre-orders and in-store try-on appointments for prospective users.
The Apple Watch sales process and purchasing experience will be more elaborate and exquisite than originally thought, according to internal training documents seen by Arnold Kim, who runs MacRumors.
Apple is revamping its retail stores ahead of April 10 Watch pre-orders and try-on appointments and has detailed in an internal brochure for retail staff the various process for both customers and employees, including playing with different bands, trying on demo units and more.
We also got our first good look at special display cases for the Watch that will be installed in Apple Stores and learn about other interesting details surrounding the shopping experience as Apple has envisioned it.
9to5mac is out with a report on Tuesday detailing how Apple Store employees will help customers select the right Apple Watch for their lifestyle, when it becomes available to purchase on April 24. The publication, often providing some of the best Apple scoops, details that retail employees will initiate conversations to build trust, enabling the employee to essentially take the place as a fashion advisor during the purchase process, rather than pushing a new consumer electronic.
An updated version of Apple's wireless keyboard appeared on Apple's Czech Republic online store on Monday, most notably packing a backlit keyboard.
Apple hasn't updated the product description noting the backlit feature, however the F5 and F6 keys indicate dimming and brightening functionality like found on Apple's laptop line. The keys have also seen a slight redesign, and the CD eject button has been replaced with a power button.
Following a report last month, Japan-based blog Macotakara was able to snag a look at the kit Apple Store employees will use to allow customers to try-on in-ear headphones before making a purchase.
The urBeats, Beats Tour, and PowerBeats 2 Wireless, all made by the Apple-owned Beats Electronics, and the RHA MA450i, JayBird BlueBuds X, and the Bose QC20, are seen in the kit that Apple Store employees will use to help present to customers.
Apple will soon introduce a new trade-in program that will accept Androids and other non-Apple smartphones, reports 9to5Mac. Citing sources familiar with the upcoming rollout, the outlet says the program will be very similar to Apple's existing iPhone trade-in program, which provides customers with gift cards to be used towards the purchase of a new iPhone.
Trade-in values of smartphones will be determined by Apple Store representatives, based on the age of the device as well as its cosmetic and functioning condition. The reps are said to be beginning extensive training sessions later this week, which will better prepare them to appraise these new devices when the program launches sometime in "the coming weeks."
Ahead of next week's Apple Watch event, Apple has begun training its retail employees on how to position the new device to customers. In a new report this afternoon, 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman shares 3 key points from their training including key features, iPhone compatibility and style.
According to selling guidelines provided to Gurman, Apple wants its employees to find out 3 things about their customers when trying to sell the Apple Watch: what do they already know about the device, is their iPhone compatible, and are they looking for a casual or formal watch.
While making an unannounced visit to Apple's flagship retail store in London's Covent Garden, CEO Tim Cook dropped a few more hints about the upcoming wrist-worn device, expected to mark Apple's foray into wearables come this April.
As The Telegraph reported, Apple's chief executive said the Watch will replace your car keys, reward exercise, filter messages and more.
Apple has released an update to its World Travel Adapter Kit on Monday, now available on the online Apple Store with seven AC plug types and a reduced price of $29.
With the new version of the kit, Apple has expanded support to travelers visiting Brazil, a country with Type N electrical outlets. Support for North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia and Hong Kong are also found for globetrotters.